6 results for: settle down

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

set·tle1

Audio Help [set-l] Pronunciation Key verb, -tled, -tling.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).

2.	to place in a desired state or in order: to settle one's affairs.

3.	to pay, as a bill.

4.	to close (an account) by payment.

5.	to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize: The pilgrims settled Plymouth.

6.	to cause to take up residence: They settled immigrants in urban areas.

7.	to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers: The French settled this colony with army veterans.

8.	to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).

9.	to stop from annoying or opposing: A sharp word will settle that youngster.

10.	to conclude or resolve: to settle a dispute.

11.	to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.

12.	to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.

13.	to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.

14.	to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.

15.	to dispose of finally; close up: to settle an estate.

16.

Law.

a.	to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.

b.	to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.

–verb (used without object)

17.	to decide, arrange, or agree (often fol. by on or upon): to settle on a plan of action.

18.	to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement: to settle with a person.

19.	to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often fol. by up).

20.	to take up residence in a new country or place: Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.

21.	to come to rest, as from flight: A bird settled on a bough.

22.	to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.: A cold settled in my head.

23.	to become calm or composed (often fol. by down): I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.

24.	to come to rest (often fol. by down): We settled down for the night at an old country inn.

25.	to sink down gradually; subside.

26.	to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.

27.	to sink to the bottom, as sediment.

28.	to become firm or compact, as the ground.

29.	(of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.

—Verb phrases

30.

settle down,

a.	to become established in some routine, esp. upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.

b.	to become calm or quiet.

c.	to apply oneself to serious work: There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.

31.	settle for, to be satisfied with: to settle for less.

32.	settle into, to become established in: to settle into a new routine.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME set(t)len, OE setlan (attested once) to place, deriv. of setl settle²; cf. D zetelen

]

—Related forms

set·tle·a·ble, adjective

set·tle·a·bil·i·ty, noun

set·tled·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. set, establish. 4. liquidate. 6. relocate. 7. people, colonize. 9. tranquilize, compose, still, pacify. 11. stabilize, establish, confirm. 20. locate, relocate. 25. decline, fall, abate.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
settle down

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

set·tle Audio Help   (sět'l) Pronunciation Key
v.   set·tled, set·tling, set·tles

v.   tr.

To put into order; arrange or fix definitely as desired.
To put firmly into a desired position or place; establish.
1. To establish as a resident or residents: settled her family in Ohio.
2. To establish residence in; colonize: Pioneers settled the West.
3. To establish in a residence, business, or profession.
4. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.
5. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.
6. To make compensation for (a claim).
7. To pay (a debt).
To restore calmness or comfort to.
1. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.
2. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.
3. To make compensation for (a claim).
4. To pay (a debt).
To subdue or make orderly.
To establish on a permanent basis; stabilize.
1. To make compensation for (a claim).
2. To pay (a debt).
To conclude (a dispute, for example) by a final decision.
To decide (a lawsuit) by mutual agreement of the involved parties without court action.
Law To secure or assign (property or title) by legal action.

v. intr.

To discontinue moving and come to rest in one place.
To move downward; sink or descend, especially gradually: Darkness settled over the fields. Dust settled in the road.
1. To become clear by the sinking of suspended particles. Used of liquids.
2. To be separated from a solution or mixture as a sediment.
3. To become compact by sinking, as sediment when stirred up.
4. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.
5. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.
6. To provide compensation for a claim.
7. To pay a debt.
1. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.
2. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.
3. To provide compensation for a claim.
4. To pay a debt.
To reach a decision; determine: We finally settled on a solution to the problem. See Synonyms at decide.
To come to an agreement, especially to resolve a lawsuit out of court.
1. To provide compensation for a claim.
2. To pay a debt.

A long wooden bench with a high back, often including storage space beneath the seat.

Phrasal Verbs:

settle down

To begin living a stable and orderly life: He settled down as a farmer with a family.
To become calm or composed.

Phrasal Verb(s):
settle down

To begin living a stable and orderly life: He settled down as a farmer with a family.
To become calm or composed.

settle for
To accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction: had to settle for a lower wage than the one requested.

Idiom(s):
settle (one's) stomach
To relieve one's indigestion or nausea.

[Middle English setlen, to seat, from Old English setlan, from setl, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]

set'tle·a·ble adj.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

settle down
verb
1.	settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground; "dust settled on the roofs" [syn: settle]
2.	become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style; "He finally settled down" [syn: settle]
3.	become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation; "After the fight both men need to cool off."; "It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again." [syn: calm]

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